Design thinking, according to Don Norman, is the process of identifying the root issue or real problem, then considering a wide range of potential solutions, and only then proposing a solution. Human-centered design (HCD) and the double-diamond design process model are tools used to apply design thinking.
Early on during the research phase of our semester project, a teammate and I conducted observations at a club meeting. Observation is the first step of the HCD process. The purpose of observations is to gain a deep understanding of the potential customers, including their goals, their needs, and their frustrations. The data gathered during this phase will be used to craft the problem statement. At the club meeting we observed activities including leadership recruitment efforts and event planning for the club's first activity. We also learned that technically it was not yet an official club because a constitution and other administrative tasks needed to be completed and approved.
Observation was also applied towards the end of our initial research when a teammate and I took the opportunity to attend a monthly meeting involving university administration and club members. We observed interactions (or the lack thereof). Another step in the HCD process involves testing. In order to ensure problems we identified after synthesizing data collected from interviews were well understood, we performed a survey at the meeting. In a similar way that tests can validate a person's understanding of a topic, the survey helped validate our understanding of the problems.
As we progress in the semester project, idea generation, prototyping, and more testing will occur. In fact, additional research will also occur. Human-centered design is an iterative process. Identifying real problems and real solutions often requires gathering and applying lessons learned from failed attempts to accurately define both the first time.
Early on during the research phase of our semester project, a teammate and I conducted observations at a club meeting. Observation is the first step of the HCD process. The purpose of observations is to gain a deep understanding of the potential customers, including their goals, their needs, and their frustrations. The data gathered during this phase will be used to craft the problem statement. At the club meeting we observed activities including leadership recruitment efforts and event planning for the club's first activity. We also learned that technically it was not yet an official club because a constitution and other administrative tasks needed to be completed and approved.
Observation was also applied towards the end of our initial research when a teammate and I took the opportunity to attend a monthly meeting involving university administration and club members. We observed interactions (or the lack thereof). Another step in the HCD process involves testing. In order to ensure problems we identified after synthesizing data collected from interviews were well understood, we performed a survey at the meeting. In a similar way that tests can validate a person's understanding of a topic, the survey helped validate our understanding of the problems.
As we progress in the semester project, idea generation, prototyping, and more testing will occur. In fact, additional research will also occur. Human-centered design is an iterative process. Identifying real problems and real solutions often requires gathering and applying lessons learned from failed attempts to accurately define both the first time.
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